Since Microsoft first introduced its alternative browser, Edge, in 2015, Internet Explorer has been on life support. (This is because Chrome has become the de facto browser for those who know what a web browser is.) Internet Explorer's life has come to an end.

"The Internet Explorer 11 desktop application will be retired on June 15, 2022, and support for certain versions of Windows 10 will end," Microsoft announced in a blog post Wednesday. Microsoft cited Edge's improved compatibility with modern websites and older IE features like ActiveX, as well as Edge's much improved security, as the main reasons for IE retirement. Older versions of Internet Explorer were notorious for security vulnerabilities, and IE 11 still only provides monthly security updates, whereas Edge and other modern browsers provide security patches far more frequently.

In fact, the phase-out will begin earlier than next year: on August 17, 2021, Microsoft 365 "other apps" will end support for IE11; Edge will continue to support "legacy Internet Explorer-based websites and apps" through 2029. It will continue to be supported.

It seems like a big deal that the once ubiquitous Microsoft Internet Explorer will finally join Netscape in the browser graveyard, but it really will fade away quietly. According to NetMarketshare data from last fall, Internet Explorer now accounts for only about 5% of all Web traffic. Other stat trackers put it at less than 1%, which is probably a good thing considering that Internet Explorer 11 was released in 2013 and has not had a significant update since then.

2022 will not strictly be the end of IE for some Windows users. Microsoft has indicated that this retirement will not apply to the long-term service enterprise branch of Windows 10 or the Windows Server version. We could have an Internet Explorer retirement party next year, but the wake will have to wait a bit longer.